Some thoughts on the Titus Andronicus / Okkervil River show.
Titus Andronicus is a tough band to follow. Few bands rock harder or look like they are having more fun, especially Stickles and Amy Klein. Titus Andronicus is loaded with shout-along lyrics and wonderfully epic songs so it was tough to go to a group that was a bit more subdued and nuanced. Of course it didn’t help by any means that I listened to Okkervil River’s newest album only once and that was about six hours before the show. I have listened to The Monitor many, many times.
It’s not to say that Okkervil River put on a bad show by any means. Will Sheff got loose live, no doubt. His solo performance of ‘A Stone’ was awesome and they closed with ‘Unless It’s Kicks’, which was live. But I wonder if the reputation of being a superb live band comes from their fans not really being used to watching someone really get unhinged live. Like Will Sheff is the only singer of their favorite bands that gets that into it. I’m speaking in wild generalizations and seem to think that if you like Okkervil River you aren’t into rawk music (which probably isn’t correct) But anyway, I feel if people that are watching Okkervil River think that’s as much as a nerdy front man can rock the fuck out and feel feelings, they need to see The Henry Clay People. Or The Hold Steady.
Other stray shots:
-Saw Patrick Stickles after the show when I walked out, he was talking to a female. While I’m sure he would have been friendly, and it appeared he was to the guy to approached him right after I walked by. But if I were in a rock band I would rather continue to talk with ladies after rocking out than listen to a guy like me say, “Great show man”. So I didn’t say “Great show man”
-I mentioned The Henry Clay People already but a tour of HCP opening up for Titus Andronicus would be really awesome. The amount of discussion about The Replacements / World history in the tour van would be staggering. This magical tour probably won’t happen since they aren’t on the same label but that would be one I’d love to see.
-Almost had to pay $15 dollars to park then the lady told me to park at the hotel across the street, it would be $10. If I don’t take the metro next time, I will be parking at the same place. Aside from the price difference, looked like you get really loaded in your car before going to the concert without much hassle from security or cops. You know, if you wanted to do such a thing.
-Traffic looked really bad so I left Stu City early to head down there. Traffic was not that bad so I had some time to kill (after parking, mentioned above). I remembered reading a few things about a new craft beer bar from Caroline on Crack and others. Beer Belly is real close to the Wiltern so I checked it out. I was very impressed by the beers and food. Dominated a plate of Duck-Fat French Fries. Might require all my fries in the future to be of the Duck-Fat variety. Everyone working there was very friendly, like they actually liked what they did, which was rad. They have a unique system of picking songs to play at the bar. If you have an iPhone, you can use their wifi and pick a song. Not sure how that exactly works. Nerds, you figure it out. Anyway, I don’t have an iPhone so Yume let me pick out a song on her’s. I picked Bushwick Blues by Delta Spirit (she had a wonderful selection of songs to choose from).
